For a while there, Sean Payton coaching the Saints in the Superdome was almost an automatic victory.
The Saints went over a season, from the beginning of 2013 to the middle of ’14, without losing a game in New Orleans (11-straight games). Since Payton was suspended for the ’12 season because of the bounty scandal, you can toss in the nine-straight the Saints won in ’11 to make it a clean 20 games the Saints won at home under their head coach for a meaty stretch.
The Superdome, at that time, was a tough place to play. When the Saints’ offense was clicking early and fast on that turf, it was almost impossible for teams to recover. It was unseemly noisy, and intimate for a large stadium. It felt like the crowd was right on top of the players on the field. It was suffocating.
Since then, however, it’s been a different story. The Saints lost their final five home games in ’14, and then split their games at the Superdome in ’15 and ’16 to enter Sunday’s game against the Patriots with an 8-13 record at home since having their winning streak snapped by Colin Kaepnerick and the 49ers in overtime on Nov. 9, 2014.
What happened?
Salary-cap hell, under general manager Mickey Loomis, is what happened. The Saints, due to gobs of dead money spent on players that weren’t even on the roster (Jimmy Graham and Junior Galette, for example), spent ’13-16 either last or next-to-last in cap space.
They finally emerged from cap hell this year, but are still fourth in the league in dead money ($19 million). The Saints are finally getting major contributions from recent draft picks, so the future seems a little brighter in New Orleans, but there’s still a way to go for them to be a consistent force in the Dome.
Here’s a look at the Saints, who lost their opener 29-19 on Monday night at Minnesota, heading into Sunday’s game against the Patriots after film study and consulting with two NFC scouts:
OFFENSE
Scheme
Pete Carmichael, a Medway native and Boston College graduate, is the coordinator but it’s Payton’s offense and he calls the plays. Payton does a little bit of everything, and loves to mix multiple personnel groupings and alignments to setup plays. Payton likes screens, shifts, empty sets, different types of motion, bunches and asks his backs to chip in the pass game. The Saints have run the ball well to keep defenses honest, but Payton loves to pass. They had the sixth-highest pass percentage last season (63.4 percent) and were at 61.8 percent over the previous three seasons. Payton normally likes to play a lot with six offensive linemen, but didn’t do it much in the opener. Could be coming this week.
Quarterback
Drew Brees, if he’s given protection, is still one of the better passers in the league. Navigates the pocket very well and does not make many mistakes reading defenses. Still has his legs, so he can deliver the ball to any area of the field with velocity and it won’t lose energy. Like most pocket quarterbacks, things get dicey if the opponent can generate pressure on at least 40 percent of dropbacks.
Receivers
With Willie Snead suspended, 2016 second-round pick Michael Thomas (6-foot-3, 212 pounds, 4.56 in the 40-yard dash) is the man on the outside. He led the team with eight targets against the Vikings, and no on other receiver had more than five (Ted Ginn). Thomas is a long strider and can have inconsistent hands, but is a good blocker. Nephew of former NFL receiver Keyshawn Johnson. Saints need him to haul in those staple seam routes (Marques Colston was top-notch for years) in Payton’s scheme, but he prefers to play on the edge. “They don’t have anyone they can hang their hat on in the pass game,” said one NFC scout. “It seems like they’re trying to spread the ball around as much as possible, using that to keep defenses honest. That’s a tough way to play.” … Brandon Coleman, who is a huge size mismatch (6-6, 225, 4.56), has never played that big. Very inconsistent. Had the second-most receiver snaps but only three targets. Is getting most of the slot snaps against smaller defensive backs. … Payton will try to get Ginn in space with the ball in his hands, where he’s still a threat to take it all the way. … The preferred alignment is Thomas left, Coleman in the slot and Ginn on the right. … Tommylee Lewis (5-7, 168, 4.48) is physical clone to Tyreek Hill and the Saints will try to hit the ’16 undrafted free agent on some shot plays. …. TE Coby Fleener (6-6, 247, 4.48) had the most playing time against the Vikings and six targets. Has rounded out his game a little bit, but it still mostly a move tight end. Played well against Minnesota after a disappointing ‘16 … The other two TEs (Josh Hill and former Patriot Michael Hoomanawanui) were not targeted. Hill plays more. None of them block very well.
Offensive line
“Overall, they did a decent job protecting against the Vikings, who are tough,” said another NFC scout, “but they couldn’t get much movement in the run game. That’s not the line’s fault; their tight ends and fullback can’t get any movement.”
LT Ryan Ramczyk (6-6, 314): First-round pick out of Wisconsin had a solid debut in place of the injured Terron Armstead. Not a great athlete but fully capable of being a solid starting left tackle.
LG Andrus Peat (6-7, 316): The former failed first-round pick has been thrown in at guard and he’s the weak spot. Problems with pad level and physicality.
C Max Unger (6-5, 305): Returned from a foot injury just before the opener and looked rusty. Smart player but can yield to strength.
RG Larry Warford (6-3, 317): A top signing by the Saints, he spent four years with the Lions as a strong run blocker. Still not great pass blocking, but usually dependable.
RT Zach Strief (6-7, 320): The 12-year veteran went out against the Vikings with knee injury and isn’t likely to be ready. Not overly athletic, but smart and tough. The leader of the group. Senio Kelemete (6-3, 300) came on in relief. He’s more of a center/guard and doesn’t move as well on the outside.
Running backs
As always, Payton has a stable of backs and you never know who is going to play the biggest role. Adrian Peterson (6-1, 220, 4.42) was signed in the offseason and is still dangerous on the first two downs if given a hole. Ball security is an issue. Will not play on third down because he can’t catch or block. … Mark Ingram (5-9, 215, 4.55) is the true feature back on the team and is solid in the passing game. Physical and tough to bring down on initial contact. … Third-round pick Alvin Kamara (5-10, 214, 4.62) is the predominant third-down back but Ingram factors in as well. Payton showed he wants to get Kamara the ball in space. An explosive player, Kamara plays like a rookie without much feel for the game. … Fullback John Kuhn played eight snaps and will get the ball in short yardage. Below average blocker.
DEFENSE
Scheme
Former Raiders coach Dennis Allen is in his first full season running the show after taking over for Rob Ryan. Allen likes to play very physical in the secondary and showed a lot of man coverage against the Vikings. They like to play with three safeties and will bring blitzers from distance. Saints blitzed a lot last season, but didn’t bring as much pressure against Minnesota.
Defensive line
End Cameron Jordan (6-4, 287) has to be accounted for on every snap. Isn’t overly athletic, but blends what he has to be a very tough block. Relentless … Alex Okafor (6-4, 261) came over from Arizona and makes them a little bit more dangerous on the other side. …. Last year’s first-round pick, Sheldon Rankins (6-2, 305) has a high ceiling with power but has yet to find consistency. … Tyeler Davison (6-2, 316) was impressive against the Vikings and helps round out a solid starting unit. … David Onyemata (6-4, 300) and Hau'oli Kikaha (6-3, 246) come on in situational roles. Kikaha has some nice burst as a sub rusher.
Linebackers
A huge weakness in recent years, the Saints appear on the upswing with nearly a whole new group: free agents A.J. Klein (Panthers) and Manti Te’o (Chargers), and rookie Alex Anazlone. … Klein was one of the better free-agent signings in the offseason. He was consistently good when Luke Kuechly was out of the lineup, and he’s quickly become a leader for the Saints. … Anazlone is active, physical and smart and has beaten out veteran Craig Robertson. … Athletic Stephone Anthony is still trying to get in the mix after battling an ankle injury most of camp. … “This group has a lot of potential if they stay healthy,” said an NFC scout. “For their first game together, they did ok.”
Secondary
Two rookies start and play a ton for this unit: first-round corner Marshon Lattimore and second-round free safety Marcus Williams. Lattimore is fast and physical, but he’s a rookie and will make mistakes. He plays the right side. P.J. Williams plays the left side and then moves to the slot for De’Vante Harris. Williams can play undisciplined. Same goes for the safeties. Strong safety Kenny Vaccaro is a very good player, but he can be overly aggressive and taken advantage of in coverage. “This is exactly the type of group Tom Brady wants to see after what happened the other night,” said and NFC scout. “Look what (Sam) Bradford did to them. Lot of room to get open. They are physical. Have to be ready for that.”
SPECIAL TEAMS
Brad Banta is his first year with the team, replacing longtime coordinator Greg McMahon. Saints really struggled last season on special teams, and are hoping the former Lions and Redskins special teams assistant can jump start them. Dealt a tough blow in camp when veteran long snapper Jon Dorenbos was put on NFI for a heart condition. Zach Wood was signed before the opener. Veteran punter Thomas Morestead is still one of the best in the game. Hasn’t had a punt blocked since 2011, but looked a little slow with the getoff in the opener. Kicker Will Lutz had a good rookie season. Has a long of 57 yards and kicks deep kickoffs (half are touchbacks). Kamara and Trey Edmunds are the kick returners. Kamara has some pop. Ginn still returns punts and is very dangerous.
PATRIOTS OFFENSIVE GAMEPLAN POINTS
- Use hard run action to create passing lanes: The Saints have improving talent on defense but they’re young, haven’t played much together and are very aggressive. That usually means fakes can open up some space, which the Patriots need after last week.
- Block Cameron Jordan: “He’s the one guy up front who can ruin your day,” said an NFC scout. “Have to stay after him. You’ll think he’s done but then he’ll stay with it and make a play late in the down.”
- Let the running backs make plays: The Patriots had plenty of opportunities to hit the backs and let them make one man miss, but Brady decided against that. He’ll have another chance on Sunday.
- Don’t fall for the bells and whistles: Like the Chiefs in Week 1, Sean Payton loves to dress up his plays with a variety of motions and alignment. The Patriots have to be more disciplined this week or they’ll get gashed again.
- Bring pressure: The Patriots should be able to get pressure with Trey Flowers and whoever fills the other side against basically two backups at the tackle spots. Also wouldn’t be afraid to send some linebackers because none of the backs pick up the blitz very well.
- Tackle on the right side: After what happened in the Chiefs game, expect Payton to test whomever is at left end and CB Stephon Gilmore with some power running. Whether it’s Cassius Marsh or Deatrich Wise, the Patriots have to execute their spill and force game better.
